Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

Which statement about cystic fibrosis is true regarding the condition?

1. It is an inherited autosomal dominant disease

2. Adolescents with CF may develop diabetes

3. It mainly affects the heart and lungs

4. Most children with CF have increased levels of insulin production

The correct answer is: Adolescents with CF may develop diabetes

In cystic fibrosis (CF), it is indeed true that adolescents may develop diabetes, a condition known as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD). This occurs due to the damage caused to the pancreas from thick, sticky mucus that obstructs the pancreatic ducts, impairing its ability to produce insulin effectively. As a result, adolescents with cystic fibrosis are at an increased risk for developing glucose intolerance and diabetes, generally resembling type 1 diabetes but exhibiting characteristics of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes due to insulin deficiency and resistance. The other statements, while related to the condition in different contexts, do not accurately portray the primary characteristics of cystic fibrosis. For instance, cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disorder, not autosomal dominant, meaning that a child must inherit two copies of the defective gene to manifest the disease. Additionally, cystic fibrosis primarily affects the lungs and digestive system rather than the heart, and while children with CF may struggle with insulin production due to pancreatic damage, it's not correct to say that most have increased levels of insulin; rather, they often experience decreased insulin production due to the effects of the disease.